OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Riverton City Council Meeting: Budget, Recycling, and Police Discussions - May 20, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, May 20, 2025
BodyRiverton, Utah
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, May 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:50:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

I mean you might as well just go for a package.

0:35

I hate it when people just patently ignore the law and refuse to learn it.

0:42

Jamie, we good to go.

0:43

Oh we got a recunction coming in.

0:46

I'll tell you what.

0:47

Well, council, let's get our work session going.

0:49

Everybody's here.

0:50

We got council member Perucci online.

0:52

Is that right?

0:54

Not yet.

0:56

Not yet.

0:56

Okay, well, alert us when he is.

0:58

We'll just go ahead and start.

1:00

Um I had some in terms of our budget discussion here today, you know, Kevin and I had an opportunity to chat.

1:06

I think what we want to do is highlight three or four items that I know have come out of your meetings with him or that you brought to my attention.

1:14

And let's try uh to work on those and then time permitting in the work session.

1:21

We can open up the floor to get other items that y'all want to maybe talk about, and then we do have some time in the agenda and on the agenda here for the council meeting for an open discussion on the budget as well.

1:37

So did you want to say something there?

1:40

Were you the the three or four items that we we heard you all talk about was um right out of the gate?

1:48

Uh the ULCT fees, the education in conferences, um obviously the recycling, and then we also have the um I guess my proposal on the million and a half out of rediff towards the uh to the water, the water fund.

2:11

So those although that one may become a moot point here.

2:17

So maybe we don't need to talk about that one as of yet, um given the funding isn't there anyway.

2:24

So at least those three items, uh if we could start through those and then again uh if we're able to tackle them here in this meeting, uh then we can move on to other things or think about other items you want to talk about in the budget that we can have in the regular council meeting.

2:41

So perhaps the lowest hanging fruit um was brought up at the conclusion of the last meeting was the ULCT fees.

2:50

Um I've I've already mentioned this before to folks.

2:54

I gave my justification as a wide and include it this year as I hadn't in year uh year past.

3:01

Um I think the bang for the buck there is not it's just not there.

3:09

Um in my view, engaging another lobbyist would probably be more effective in terms of outcome.

3:15

And I think if anything, as we've noted, the the governor and the legislature continue on this narrative about cities and land use.

3:23

We've seen dozens of pieces of legislation that have impacted our land use authority.

3:27

It doesn't seemingly get any better.

3:30

I recognize that the the league has conferences, um they have member non-member rates.

3:36

It wouldn't prohibit not being a member of the league, wouldn't prohibit folks from availing themselves of the training if they so desired at various league meetings, but you know that's uh totally within your pure purview council if you'd like to see that added into the final budget.

3:53

Um that's that's up to you.

3:56

So we'll look on this topic in particular.

3:58

I think Councilmember McKay, you had you had mentioned before that that is something that you would like to add in.

4:03

So you may have, you know, council if anybody else would like to discuss it, uh please light up your mic.

4:12

Otherwise, if you if you do want to just go ahead and move on that item, um, I think we're gonna ask for a motion in the meeting or if we I mean it like I think that would be nice at this point.

4:24

This is our last meeting before we start the public hearings.

4:27

The more we can get solidified um tonight, the just the better off we are for the third and the 17th of June.

4:34

So I think as we go through that it would be helpful, maybe somebody do a motion.

4:38

We we we get somebody to support it, obviously any sort of discussion, and then uh we could do a little bit of a vote there, and then that way we can give Nick and Megan the direction to get it updated for the the budget that we present on the third so let's do that, even though we're in work session format.

4:53

And I I was alerted that uh council member perucci is now joined us, so all five of you are are here.

5:00

Councilmember McKay, you want to speak to that.

5:03

Thank you, Mayor.

5:04

Um, I think that the Utah League does a good job.

5:08

I especially do like their training um that they offer.

5:11

I thought the most recent one that I attended down at in St.

5:15

George was extremely helpful, and I think that they are able to lobby on um behalf of all of the cities together.

5:22

And so I do propose that we add that back in.

5:25

Also, it's my eighth year on the council, and we've always been a member of that, and I feel like um they have reined in you know, their increases, it was about a five percent increase.

5:35

They showed me the bill from them.

5:37

So I didn't because I I recall but the the one year where it weren't double digit, yeah.

5:43

You had indicated in conversation that you would you may even be supportive of uh a move to maybe step away from them for a time.

5:51

But yeah, thank you.

5:54

So that would act as a motion on the table, yes.

5:58

Uh council member broker is that oh I'll second that motion.

6:01

Got it.

6:01

Any any further discussion to that motion?

6:05

Seeing none, uh Jamie will conduct a vote on that then.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Sanitation███████████████████████23%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████████19%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Zoning Regulations███████████11%
Stormwater Management█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Riverton City Council Meeting Summary – May 20, 2025

The Riverton City Council held a Work Session beginning at 6:01 PM and a Regular Council Meeting at 7:03 PM on May 20, 2025, at City Hall. The meetings focused on fiscal year 2025-2026 budget discussions, including membership in the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT), education and training funding, curbside recycling program fees, commercial architectural standards, a development agreement for self-storage, police department staffing, and other operational items. The Council took several votes and provided staff direction on multiple issues.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: Approved minutes from May 6, 2025.
  • Interlocal Agreement: Approved Resolution No. 25-30, an interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for the 4311 West 12600 South Corridor Preservation (funding of $50,288).
  • All consent items passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jill Walker (Riverton resident): Questioned whether citizens must go public to receive equal justice, referencing an incident involving a Tesla owner and a 72-year-old charged with a misdemeanor for placing a bumper sticker. She expressed concern that not all citizens are treated equally.

Discussion Items

Budget Work Session (6:01 PM – 6:56 PM)

ULCT Membership: Mayor Staggs explained his decision to eliminate the city's ULCT membership, citing limited return on investment in lobbying against legislative threats to city land use authority. Councilmember McCay moved to reinstate the fees, emphasizing value of training; motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Education & Training Budget: The Mayor’s proposed budget cut $52,000 from education/training across all funds (from $229,585 to $177,585). Councilmember Haymond moved to reduce the cut to $26,000 (restoring $26,000) and include approximately $4,800 for a one-year National League of Cities (NLC) membership; motion passed unanimously (5-0). City Manager Hicks confirmed this would allow elected officials to attend both NLC and ULCT conferences.

Clerical Error: A typo in the culinary water fund line item (entered as $30,000 instead of $3,000) was acknowledged and will be corrected in the final budget.

Curbside Recycling Program: Mayor Staggs asked whether the Council supported retaining the program. Council expressed general support for retaining recycling, with a preference for a fee increase over a general fund subsidy. Staff presented three sanitation fee models:

  • Model 1 (tiered): $1 base increase ($13 to $14), higher fees for additional garbage cans, near break-even.
  • Model 2 (flat $2.50 increase across all cans): $15.50 base, builds $120,000 fund balance.
  • Model 3 ($2.10 flat increase): $15.10 base, break-even. Mayor Staggs recommended separating garbage and recycling fees for transparency. Council directed staff to model additional options, including a $2 across-the-board increase and a tiered approach with recycling broken out.

Regular Council Meeting (7:03 PM – 9:01 PM)

Ordinance No. 25-12 – Commercial Architectural Standards: Development Services Director Jason Lethbridge summarized changes: replaced "equal consideration" with "consistent architectural consideration" for building sides; removed limitations on glass; added exceptions for precast concrete on side/rear walls; required brick in the designated downtown area (1830 W to 1300 W, Peterson’s Market to Senior Center) with no set percentage. Councilmember Buroker advocated for brick naming the area “Civic Center”; Councilmember McCay opposed the brick requirement, favoring flexibility. Mayor Staggs and Councilmembers Haymond and McDougal supported the brick requirement for visual consistency. The ordinance passed unanimously (5-0).

Ordinance No. 25-15 – DAI Development Agreement: For 5.63 acres at 12270 S 4000 W, rezone from R-3 to C-R with self-storage use, and preliminary site plan approval. Staff confirmed that upon agreement expiration, zoning would remain C-R limited to self-storage. The expiration term was extended from 15 to 50 years. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Budget Discussion (Continued): Staff presented two main fee scenarios for sanitation:

  • Estimate 2: $2 flat increase, first garbage $10, first recycle $5, additional garbage $9, additional recycle $7; near break-even (fund balance $2,090).
  • Estimate 4: Tiered, first garbage $9, first recycle $5, additional garbage $10.50 (one extra) or $12.50 (two+), additional recycle $6, with $16,000 fund balance to offset cancellations. Councilmember McCay supported Estimate 2 for more evenly distributed cost. Councilmember McDougal moved to adopt Estimate 2; motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Pierucci opposed).

Summerhill Park Stormwater Project: Councilmember McCay questioned the $250,000 budget for middle ($130,000) and south ($86,000) phases, suggesting reduction. Councilmember McDougal supported completing the project per the five-year plan, citing past flooding and ability to use equipment access. Majority agreed to maintain the funding; staff noted the contractor locked price at $216,000 total for remaining phases.

Police Department Budget: Councilmember McCay raised concern about police fund balance dropping from $3.1 million (FY 2024) to $1.2 million under the proposed budget, suggesting phasing two new officer hires. Chief Taylor stressed the need for both officers for officer safety and to support Detective Grow (64 arrests since November 2024, 12 in Riverton). Councilmember Pierucci supported both hires given crime statistics. Decision deferred to final budget.

Printed Calendar: Councilmember McCay proposed eliminating the $17,500 budgeted for printed calendars, noting the city now produces a monthly newsletter. Councilmembers Buroker opposed, but McDougal and Pierucci agreed with elimination. Not formally voted, but direction appears to remove funding.

Other Comments: Councilmember Pierucci requested a future discussion on return on investment for recreation events. Councilmember McCay noted concerns about stormwater budget for Summerhill Park; staff clarified it is part of the five-year plan and cost-locked.

Key Outcomes

  • ULCT Membership: Reinstated (unanimous).
  • Education & Training Cut: Reduced to $26,000 instead of $52,000, with NLC membership included (unanimous).
  • Commercial Architectural Standards (Ord. 25-12): Adopted (unanimous).
  • DAI Development Agreement (Ord. 25-15): Adopted with 50-year term (unanimous).
  • Sanitation Fee Structure: Estimate 2 adopted (4-1) – $2 flat increase across all can types, breaking out recycling fee ($5 for first recycle) for transparency.
  • Summerhill Park Project: Maintained in budget; contractor price locked.
  • Police Officer Hires: Generally supported, but final decision pending; fund balance concerns noted.
  • Printed Calendar: Likely to be eliminated based on council consensus.
  • Closed Session: Convened at 9:01 PM to discuss real property acquisition; adjourned at 9:34 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I mean you might as well just go for a package. I hate it when people just patently ignore the law and refuse to learn it. Jamie, we good to go. Oh we got a recunction coming in. I'll tell you what. Well, council, let's get our work session going. Everybody's here. We got council member Perucci online. Is that right? Not yet. Not yet. Okay, well, alert us when he is. We'll just go ahead and start. Um I had some in terms of our budget discussion here today, you know, Kevin and I had an opportunity to chat. I think what we want to do is highlight three or four items that I know have come out of your meetings with him or that you brought to my attention. And let's try uh to work on those and then time permitting in the work session. We can open up the floor to get other items that y'all want to maybe talk about, and then we do have some time in the agenda and on the agenda here for the council meeting for an open discussion on the budget as well. So did you want to say something there? Were you the the three or four items that we we heard you all talk about was um right out of the gate? Uh the ULCT fees, the education in conferences, um obviously the recycling, and then we also have the um I guess my proposal on the million and a half out of rediff towards the uh to the water, the water fund. So those although that one may become a moot point here. So maybe we don't need to talk about that one as of yet, um given the funding isn't there anyway. So at least those three items, uh if we could start through those and then again uh if we're able to tackle them here in this meeting, uh then we can move on to other things or think about other items you want to talk about in the budget that we can have in the regular council meeting. So perhaps the lowest hanging fruit um was brought up at the conclusion of the last meeting was the ULCT fees. Um I've I've already mentioned this before to folks. I gave my justification as a wide and include it this year as I hadn't in year uh year past. Um I think the bang for the buck there is not it's just not there. Um in my view, engaging another lobbyist would probably be more effective in terms of outcome. And I think if anything, as we've noted, the the governor and the legislature continue on this narrative about cities and land use. We've seen dozens of pieces of legislation that have impacted our land use authority. It doesn't seemingly get any better. I recognize that the the league has conferences, um they have member non-member rates. It wouldn't prohibit not being a member of the league, wouldn't prohibit folks from availing themselves of the training if they so desired at various league meetings, but you know that's uh totally within your pure purview council if you'd like to see that added into the final budget. Um that's that's up to you. So we'll look on this topic in particular. I think Councilmember McKay, you had you had mentioned before that that is something that you would like to add in. So you may have, you know, council if anybody else would like to discuss it, uh please light up your mic. Otherwise, if you if you do want to just go ahead and move on that item, um, I think we're gonna ask for a motion in the meeting or if we I mean it like I think that would be nice at this point. This is our last meeting before we start the public hearings. The more we can get solidified um tonight, the just the better off we are for the third and the 17th of June. So I think as we go through that it would be helpful, maybe somebody do a motion. We we we get somebody to support it, obviously any sort of discussion, and then uh we could do a little bit of a vote there, and then that way we can give Nick and Megan the direction to get it updated for the the budget that we present on the third so let's do that, even though we're in work session format. And I I was alerted that uh council member perucci is now joined us, so all five of you are are here. Councilmember McKay, you want to speak to that. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I think that the Utah League does a good job. I especially do like their training um that they offer. I thought the most recent one that I attended down at in St. George was extremely helpful, and I think that they are able to lobby on um behalf of all of the cities together. And so I do propose that we add that back in.

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